Religion in Public Education

____Religion in Public Primary Education, Australia

________a PhD in progress...

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Supported by Macquarie University's Centre for Research on Social Inclusion

What is this research project?

International studies (REDCo 2008) show that children with some education about religions are more tolerant than those without such instruction. However, results vary depending on how they are taught.

RE is generally divided into: single-faith instruction within one tradition or comparative education about many religions. Some scholars speculate that single-faith instruction increases inter-religious intolerance (Schech & Haggis; Hull, 2000) because it provides no bridge to understanding other beliefs. Others argue that comparative RE should not be seen as a self-evident good and that more research is required (Wright, 2007; Barnes, 2007).

NSW education offers both approaches. General Religion Education (GRE) occurs via social science classes, school assemblies and Christian festivals. Special Religion Education (SRE) scripture classes are offered to approved religious organisations. However, some belief groups are excluded and there is little evaluation of the outcomes of either approach.

This situation raises the question:
Can religion education promote social inclusion?

For many children, scripture class (SRE) is their first experience of segregation on the basis of belief. In some regions, there is limited choice. At the same time, for some minority faiths, GRE and SRE can provide some level of engagement with the school. This study examined the attitudes of parents, educators and scripture teachers.

SCRIPTURE CLASS COMPLAINTS
Some State Departments do not deal well with complaints regarding scripture classes. Any parent, teacher or principal who would like to document a complaint about scripture classes, in any Australian public school, in any state, please send a copy, with contact details to:

Catherine Byrne
POBox 1143
Ballina, NSW 2478